NEW YORK (July 25, 2013) – MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative, will be conducting various events in the Kansas City area, as part of this year’s All-Star festivities, that highlight the League’s commitment to supporting the communities where we live and play our games.

MLS WORKS to Highlight Global Support of Anti-Discrimination Campaign

“Don’t Cross the Line” promotes unity, respect, fair play, equality and acceptance throughout the soccer community and was launched by Major League Soccer to formalize its long-standing commitment to diversity while promoting the importance of positive behavior at all levels of the game. On July 10, AS Roma adopted the initiative, encouraging the Italian soccer community to “Take the Pledge” to treat others with dignity and respect and not tolerate discrimination, bias, prejudice or harassment.

Throughout the week, MLS WORKS will be encouraging fans to Take a Stand for Soccer and “Take the Pledge” to end discrimination.

“Don’t Cross the Line” ambassadors will be positioned at the Power & Light district, as well as around the Kansas City area encouraging fans to support the campaign. The first 300 fans that Take the Pledge each day will receive a “Don’t Cross the Line” scarf or t-shirt. CLICK HERE to see where the “Don’t Cross the Line” ambassadors will be throughout the week.

The MLS All-Stars will be taking the pledge on Monday after training at the Swope Park training facility and will join AS Roma in wearing a commemorative “Don’t Cross the Line” patch on their uniforms on game day.

Fans attending the 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game are encouraged to arrive early to “Take the Pledge” in Soccer Celebration, an outdoor festival featuring interactive events for fans, soccer-themed games, sponsor giveaways, and more, before heading into the stadium for a special “Don’t Cross the Line” pre-game activation.

All-Stars to Participate in Futsal Court Unveiling as part of All-Star Community Day at Wyandotte High School

MLS All-Stars, including Sporting Kansas City stars Matt Besler and Aurelien Collin, will be joined by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Sporting Club owners Cliff Illig and Robb Heineman, and Kansas City, Kansas Mayor Mark Holland to unveil two new futsal courts at Wynadotte High School in Kansas City, KS.

Futsal (five-a-side soccer) is an international form of soccer approved by FIFA that is played around the world in over 100 countries by 12 million players. Futsal is one of the best ways for young people to fine tune their skills.

Major League Soccer is committed to creating sustainable projects that leave a lasting legacy while supporting local youth programs that encourage children to live healthy, active lifestyles. The new futsal courts will provide hundreds of local Kansas City youth with a safe place to play and an opportunity to advance their futsal skills as they develop into world-class soccer players.

The All-Star Community Day, hosted by MLS WORKS and Sporting Kansas City, will be open to the public from 8:30 AM-3:00 PM. Community members can enjoy carnival games while cheering on local youth athletes in an eight-team futsal tournament before local youth soccer players have the opportunity to participate in a meet and greet with MLS All-Stars.

Tuesday, July 30

Wyandotte High School - 2501 Minnesota Ave, Kansas City, KS 66102

(Courts and event entrance located behind the school along Tauromee Ave)

The MLS WORKS Community MVP Grand Prize winner, Bobby Samra, representing Vancouver Whitecaps FC, will be recognized at halftime of the 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game and presented with a $10,000 check to The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Fans across the League had the opportunity to nominate individuals who use soccer to make a difference in their communities. Representing each MLS market, the 19 nominees competed in a two-week online contest, resulting in over half a million votes.

Samra is a Vice Principal in Surrey, British Columbia, and has coached soccer for more than 25 years. He is being honored for his work to develop a soccer program with Central City Soccer Club and the Surrey School District for children with mental health issues.